A/N: Wow thanks for the reviews and follows! I got so many for that last chapter! This one was hard to do and I don't think it's as good, but I've got some really exciting ideas for the next chapter.
Thanks again for the reviews, if you have a spare minute please do review, I read them all and take them all into account.
'I think you looked pretty hot y'know' Zach nudged me annoyingly, grinning from ear to ear as we walked out of the room.
I rolled my eyes. 'Wow, thanks for your sarcasm Zach'
'I mean it…' He said. I looked into his eyes and it was actually the first time I'd seen him look sincere; I still had a nagging doubt at the back of my mind though.
I muttered thanks before I turned back to Henry who was shaking a thick pile of papers in my face.
'Just some forms for you to fill in' he grinned at me.
'So this is a form consenting to being on the cover of Vouge if you get chosen' no need to worry about that one then I thought. 'This is to agree for a three month trial with the agency, you can then decide if you would like to carry on'
I read through every single letter on the paper, remembering I was ultimately a spy and I had been taught to never sign anything without reading it back to back, including the invisible ink. The scary thing was there was no invisible ink, and it wasn't written on evapopaper, it couldn't be erased.
I made a million excuses before I signed on that scary dotted line.
'I don't have a pen'
'I don't think I'm signing in the right place'
'I haven't read that bit yet'
But there's only so long you can delay signing a model agency form for, and unfortunately with Macey around it's not long.
I sighed as Henry grabbed the forms straight out my hand as soon as my pen lifted off the paper as if he thought I was suddenly going to throw them out of the window… well, that thought had crossed my mind. I swallowed the lump in my throat as he put the papers in a scanner and they were copied over and over.
But it was then I remembered something. 'Don't I need a parent to sign?' I asked as if I'd suddenly just realised.
'No, once you're fifteen you're allowed to represent yourself' he replied curtly.
Darn I thought bitterly.
The ride on the bus back was awkward. I couldn't shake the feeling Zach was looking at me, I couldn't help but wonder why Macey or Bex hadn't been picked instead of me, I couldn't stop thinking 'Why me?!'
We arrived back, Zach proceeding to his room without another word to me, as if it had just been a normal day for him.
In our room it was a different story.
'That photographer loved you!'
'You looked amazing in front of the camera!'
'You'll get so many jobs'
'You'll get free make up'
'What do I tell my mom?' I said ignoring their statements.
'You don't! Duh!' Macey said exasperated.
I collapsed down on my bed putting my hands over my head. I'd done some pretty stupid stuff in my time but allowing myself to be photographed and my friends to force me to join a modelling agency took the biscuit.
'Oooooh, email check!' Liz squeaked excitedly turning her laptop on.
I sighed. 'He won't have emailed yet guys'
'You're wrong!' Macey squealed pulling me over to the laptop.
'Wow' breathed Bex looking at the image on the screen.
Henry had sent me the shots the photographer had taken. It was tempting to look away but there was something scarily mesmerising about the girl on the screen.
'That's not me…' I said confused.
'Of course it's you!' Macey said annoyed.
I looked again. I've never been one of those girls to take care of my appearance, I don't manicure my nails weekly, I don't have clear skin, when you're a spy there just simply isn't time unless you're Macey McHenry. So when Bex enlarged the picture to get a better look I couldn't help but gasp, the girl in the picture certainly didn't look flawless but she looked… Nice. And different.
I went to bed early that night. It was partly because I couldn't bear to look through the images for the fifth time and partly because I couldn't believe what I'd done.
Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep due to some shouting coming from Macey McHenry's bed.
'What the hell is it?' I yelled, I don't like being woken up, and my roommates knew that very well.
'It's a job!' yelled Bex.
I sat up in bed and looked at the time. It was 11pm at night. I yawned and rolled back over onto my side.
'Cam, did you not hear us!' Macey called over to me.
'Oh I heard alright' I muttered into my pillow.
'Cam, it's a job… for Juicy Couture' Macey somehow whispered in my ear.
That got me up.
'What?' I asked shocked.
I'd heard of that company nonstop from Bex and Macey in the past, I knew they were BIG.
'Yeah right guys' I laughed it off until Liz brandished a laptop in my face.
They wanted me to be in New York on Monday. The idea was so ridiculous.
'Have you not seen where they want me to go? Have you not seen what day it is? Do you not remember we go to a school for spies?' I was getting annoyed now, I'd already been forced into signing a contract I didn't want to sign, I'd been forced to enter a competition that I didn't want to win, and now I was trying to be pried out of school to go to a photoshoot for some famous designer.
'No' I said simply. 'No way' I finalised.
I ignored the grumpy protests from my roommates and turned into my pillow, trying to get some sleep.
I hated the next day, for a number of reasons.
My roommates surprised me, they didn't even mention the shoot again. They seemed perfectly fine with me turning down a brilliant job, it didn't seem like them at all, I'd expected sulking and anger to follow me around the castle on that boring Sunday but instead I got some perfectly bright and cheerful friends.
I was dreading dinner with my mom; she always had a habit of figuring out when something was wrong, strangely enough as I walked down the passageway towards my mom's office that night it was blocked off by something, or someone.
'What is it Zach?' I said irritated. He hadn't spoken to me since I'd gone to the shoot.
'I need to speak to you' he said urgently, his eyes pleading.
'Not now Zach, I've got to see my mom and…'
'No, now' he said dragging me towards the end of the corridor, pulling out a book from the bookcase which slid open revealing one of the secret passageways. It was pitch black as Zach closed it behind us.
'Well… this is cosy' I joked.
As my eyes grew accustomed to the dark I saw Zach's face had lost the smugness it usually possessed.
'You're a great spy Cammie' Zach said as my stomach began to churn.
He gently took my hands and finally looked me straight in the eyes.
'You're a spy Cammie, you're not a model' He sighed. 'You're a spy' He repeated as if he had to say it to confirm it.
His eyes were so intense I couldn't breathe. 'I know' I whispered finally.
'Then don't go' He said.
'What?' I frowned, confused.
'Don't go to this New York thing, I have a bad feeling about it' Zach Sighed.
'I wasn't going to?' I questioned as if it were a trick question.
'But Bex said…' He started, suddenly noticing that I had no idea what he was talking about. He suddenly shifted uncomfortably. 'You didn't know?' He asked, but we both knew it wasn't a question.
'I'm going to kill them, I'm going to kill them' my head screamed.
Zach shifted uncomfortably again as he felt my annoyance.
He stroked his hand across my face making me shiver, it calmed me down significantly.
He walked out leaving me standing in the dark hallway. I took a deep breath before entering my mom's room.
The meal started as normal, my mom questioned me about school as if there was anything she didn't know about.
'Mom…' I started awkwardly, not knowing how I was meant to finish. I wanted to tell her, she might be mad at first but I knew she would want to know what I had done.
'Is Juicy Couture a… massive… brand?' I found myself asking, surprising even myself.
'Of course kiddo, they're designer' she said matter-of-factly.
'Oh…' I said, not believing that I had actually considered it.
'And do you shop there… or buy anything from them?' I asked casually.
'Of course' my mom replied. 'Why?'
'Oh, Macey said I should get some jeans from there' I lied.
As I entered my room I heard Liz say 'Hi Cammie' before I'd even entered. I didn't answer. I couldn't believe they'd gone behind my back, especially Liz.
I stormed into the room not uttering a word, sure that my expression would tell them what was wrong. I was right.
'You know don't you' Liz whispered quietly.
'Yes' I shouted back. 'Thanks a lot'
'We were just trying to help Cam' Liz whispered timidly.
It was hard to stay mad at Liz. I sighed as I told her, Macey and Bex that it was fine, I forgave them.
It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders as I sat in CoveOps the next day, knowing that learning about static surveillance would be significantly better than posing in front of a camera all day. That was until Mr Solomon entered and uttered 'Pop Quiz'.
I should have known it was strange that Bex wasn't pestering Mr Solomon about where we were going. I should have realised there is nothing scarier than a spy best friend when she's on a mission to get you to a photoshoot.
'Where are we going?' Tina questioned for the tenth time.
Mr Solomon finally sighed and turned round saying 'We've been trying to find somewhere suitable to practise simple pick pocketing of civilians, and thanks to Bex's suggestion of New York, we found it'
I didn't speak for the rest of the journey. I didn't listen to Bex's continual apologies and I ignored Zach's glares as if this were my fault.
When we got to New York I don't think even Bex had been prepared for the havoc. There wasn't one part of the pavement that wasn't packed with civilians, it was a spies worst nightmare, but a pavement artists heaven.
I sighed as Mr Solomon told us we should just have fun and try to pick pockets of as many people as possible, memorise the details and then put the items back. It was an easy task, but I knew my task was harder.
Bex pulled me through the crowds towards the address of the studio. I couldn't help it, but my anger was slowly starting to fade as I let her drag me along.
'I'm sorry we had to do this Cammie, but we couldn't let you pass this by'
I just nodded as we came to a large building. It wasn't new like the agency, it wasn't even big. It looked more like a rundown warehouse.
'This is it…' Bex said uncertainly.
We walked through the doors and I felt myself relax a little as I saw the familiar white walls that had been in the agency studio.
'Ah, you must be our model!' one of the women said. But she wasn't talking to me, she was talking to Bex.
'No, that would be Cammie' Bex replied dragging me in front of her.
'Oh, of course!' the woman replied with realisation on her face.
'Now let's get you straight into hair and makeup!' she said shoving me hard in the back towards a stool in the corner of the room. Bex watched me go guiltily as she took her place awkwardly at the back of the room.
The makeup woman was cheery enough, chattering away about celebrities she'd styled, most of them I hadn't heard of.
It took a whole two hours until she announced me 'done'. I had no idea what she'd done but as she brought out a mirror and shoved it in front of my face my heart dropped.
I couldn't see myself anymore. Vivid green makeup had been twirled elegantly around my eyes with large sequins going around the outline. Red lipstick had been added to my lips despite me telling the woman I don't pull off red. It looked more like a mask. My hair looked awfully fake like a doll and I cringed as tight curls bounced up and down when I made the tiniest movement.
'It's great' I lied enthusiastically as if I couldn't contain my excitement.
'I know right!' the woman said excitedly.
Next I was dragged to the other corner of the room where every costume imaginable stood. From tiaras to ball gowns, they all made me feel sick.
'This is Bobbi, she'll be styling you' the makeup artist introduced me before walking off.
Bobbi wasn't friendly. Her nose was pointedly stuck up in the air as if I were beneath the standard of models she usually styled.
'Well, we'll see what we can get for you that will… look right…' she said sniffing.
She threw off a sheet that had been covering half the rack and I stared in shock as I took in rails and rails of frilly underwear ranging from pink to yellow.
'No, no, no' I whispered to myself as she rummaged through the shelf of thongs.
I sighed in relief as Bex came over to stand beside me, obviously noticing what was happening.
'I thought she was meant to be modelling jeans, handbags, that sort of thing?' Bex questioned angrily.
'She was, but the coordinator now wants her to do the underwear garments' the woman replied like I should be grateful I'd even got the job.
Bex gave me a witheringly guilty look before she walked to the back of the room again and left me standing open mouthed.
Before I knew what was happening thongs and lacy bras of every colour had been thrust in my hands.
'I can't wear this!' I gasped.
'You really don't have much of a choice' the woman replied curtly, giving a little evil upturn of her lips that was probably her way of smiling.
'Just get it on before I get the sack, we're running late, when we run late we lose money' she said exasperated.
I stared at myself in the mirror in horror. I wasn't exactly fat, but I certainly wasn't the shape to do THIS kind of modelling. Just as I was about to throw my jeans back on and storm out someone knocked on the door impatiently. 'Are you done yet?' the woman called, I recognised her as the nicer woman who I'd met earlier so I opened the door a fraction.
'I can't go out like this' I said shakily.
She pulled the door open fully and looked me up and down while I shifted about uncomfortably. 'You look fabulous!' she shot me a beaming smile before dragging me out.
'I really can't go out like this!' I said again, close to tears.
She chucked me a robe. 'Wear this then, you'll have to take it off soon though'
I quickly pulled on the robe and followed her out of the dressing room.
I hadn't noticed how busy the room was. People were fussing about with lights, others with cameras.
I was dragged right into the light in front of the white wall, the woman forced the robe off of me and I stood stupidly while the photographer finally turned to face me.
I risked a look at Bex who shot me a small smile. I didn't return it. I saw her mouth to me 'You look hot'. I think it was meant to make me feel better, but it didn't. Tears pricked at my eyes as everyone turned to look at me, ready to start the shoot as if it were just a normal day for them.
They gave me a few poses but the photographer didn't seem to approve as I saw him tut at the screen. 'We need more oomph babe!' he yelled at me.
I gave me a sarcastic look, how the hell can a model give her full 'oomph' when she's standing in her damn underwear.
'Yes!' he yelled as lights began to flash again making me blink, but the photographer didn't seem to mind, he just grinned at the photographs coming up on his screen.
'Try that look again!' he said. I tried. But soon enough he was back to sighing at the pictures again.
I started to zone out as I absentmindedly tried the complicated poses they gave me to do, becoming accustomed to the photographers exasperated sighing.
My mind drifted to Zach. I remembered the conversation we'd had and I longed to be back at the Gallagher academy.
'Okay that's enough for now' the photographer sighed. 'Take a break'
I grabbed the robe up off the floor and threw it on quickly before he could change his mind. I stumbled straight up to Bex and collapsed on the floor next to her almost in tears.
'I can't do this' I said my voice breaking, pulling the robe around me tighter.
'I'm so sorry Cam I didn't know it would be like this' Bex whispered, sounding like she was going to cry herself.
I had been fully intent on storming over to her and shouting but I could tell she was almost as upset about it as me. Almost.
She pulled me into a tight hug. 'I checked with the snotty coordinator and she said you only have half an hour left, then we can get out of here and forget this ever happened, it's not like anyone can tell it's you in the pictures, they've completely changed you'
I nodded, slightly reassured as the photographer called me back.
'Let's get back to work' he said grimly as if he had the worst job in the world.
I took a deep breath and dropped the robe to my feet again, ready to try some more degrading poses. Tears pricked at my eyes again, threatening to ruin my makeup that felt like it was already dripping down my face from the heat of the lights.
The lights were staring to burn my skin and I felt my legs shaking, threatening to collapse underneath me.
But then the photographer stopped because someone had opened the door of the warehouse. He sighed again loudly, obviously annoyed that the natural light had ruined his picture.
But I didn't listen to him. There were two figures stood in the doorway. One of them was a boy, my age. The other a man. It was Zach and Mr Solomon. They were looking right at me.
Zach stared at me, obviously unable to believe his eyes. Mr Solomon however was looking around the room, he couldn't see me!
'Where the hell is Cammie?' he asked Bex angrily still glancing around the room. It was Zach that answered with a point of his finger towards me.
But I was soon moving. I rushed out of the lights ignoring once again the angry voice of the photographer. I grabbed the robe that lay on the floor and ran into the dressing room slamming the door behind me breathlessly.
I broke down on the floor, wiping my hands over my face trying to erase the vile green makeup from my face as if it could erase the memory from Zach and Mr Solomon's minds.
But it couldn't. I stood up and walked out, ready to face the music.
